Nigerian royal ticketed in Ballston

Benjamin Ikenchuku, a Nigerian king, is shown during an October 2013 visit to the state University at Albany. The monarch was ticketed by the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Department on July 11.
Photo provided

BALLSTON>> A Nigerian king was ticketed in the town of Ballston on July 11.

Benjamin Ikenchuku, 37, was ticketed for improper passing and was involved in a minor accident, according to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Department.

The sheriff’s department would not divulge the ticket information, but The Saratogian is awaiting a copy of the police report from that day.

He has an appearance scheduled in Ballston Town Court for 5:30 p.m. Nov. 12.

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The king — his full name being Royal Majesty King Benjamin Ikenchuku Keagborekuzi — visited the U.S. for the first time in October 2013 when he toured the University at Albany and visited with UAlbany President Robert J. Jones and former Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings and was interviewed by the Albany Student Press, the University at Albany’s student newspaper.

King Ikenchuku is the dein, or king, of Agbor, Nigeria. Agbor is a town in the Delta state of Nigeria. He was named the youngest monarch in history when he was crowned king at age 2.

“This is the very first time I’ve been to the United States. Having grown up in England obviously, the English and the U.S. have their peculiarities, so I’ve always wanted to come but I’ve never had the opportunity to visit. But I will say that the United States people have been very, very hospitable. I’ve really had an incredible time,” he told the Albany Student Press in October of 2013.

He also spoke of his experiences growing up a king and the drastic differences in university funding and the value of education in America and Nigeria.

But despite his royal standing, local law enforcement will treat the king’s case as any other.

“We prosecute nearly 100,000 vehicle and traffic cases in Saratoga County. We will treat him just like we do anyone else, with no favor or prejudice and obtain information from the person whose car was struck. After we do a thorough investigation to ensure there was no physical injury we will proceed with a court appearance,” said Saratoga County District Attorney Jim Murphy.